Vin Ascolese of North Bergen is The Star-Ledger's state football Coach of the Year for 2011

Christopher Barth/For The Star-LedgerVin Ascolese of North Bergen is The Star-Ledger's football state Coach of the Year for 2011.

As North Bergen coach Vin Ascolese sat Monday among his peers and family at the American Football Coaches Association CEO of the Year annual awards dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan, he received a well-deserved round of applause for his 50 years of coaching, service and dedication to the game.

Among the notable football dignataries in attendance were Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and this year's CEO of the Year honoree T. Boone Pickens, the American business entrepreneur, humanitarian and benefactor to the Oklahoma State athletic department.

Ascolese took it all in.

"To be honored by the AFCA is hard to believe -- I had no idea I was going to be honored," Ascolese said. "Grant Teaff (the AFCA executive director and former Baylor head coach) wanted from the outset for high school coaches to be there at the dinner, to be a part of it. I had no idea he would mention my name and it was like the icing on top of the cake."

Ascolese, a graduate of Upsala College, saw his 50-year coaching career (11 at Hoboken, the last 39 at North Bergen) end in triumph as North Bergen stunned previously unbeaten and No. 4 Montclair, 14-13, for the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 4 sectional title at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 3.

Life for Ascolese and in North Bergen hasn't been the same since Debray Tavarez hauled in Sergio Rodriguez's 22-yard touchdown pass while in the middle of three Montclair defenders on the last play of the game.

"It has been unbelievable how the community of North Bergen has taken this all in," Ascolese said. "The Walmart in town had a section of North Bergen shirts and hats, and they are all sold out. It shows that community pride is alive and well, and it truly has been amazing."

The Vin Ascolese resume is an impressive one: An overall record of 359-124-7, 12 Hudson County titles and seven state championships. He leaves as the third winningest coach in state history.

During an up-and-down 8-4 season, North Bergen came away with its biggest highlight at the end and finished No. 20 in The Star-Ledger Top 20. After his team lost two of its first three games, Ascolese righted the North Bergen ship with four straight victories before dropping its next two games, one a 24-21 home setback to Peddie on Nov. 5 on the very day the school changed the name of Bruin Stadium to Vincent Ascolese Field to honor its retiring head coach.

Then Ascolese and the Bruins went on a five-week magical run. The team allowed 14 points or less in three straight state playoff victories, including two straight overtime triumphs against Passaic Tech (20-14) and county-rival Union City (10-7).

North Bergen defeats Montclair - 2011 NJSIAA North 1, Group 4 Football ChampionshipNorth Bergen stuns Montclair as Debray Tavarez caught a 22-yard touchdown pass between three defenders as North Bergen scored with no time left on the clock to stun previously unbeaten Montclair, No. 4 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, at MetLife Stadium. It was the final game of a 50-year coaching career for North Bergen coach Vin Ascolese (Video by William Perlman/The Star-Ledger)

Finally, in the Group 4 tilt against powerhouse Montclair, North Bergen used an onside kick and a two-point conversion to open the game with an 8-0 lead. But North Bergen hung tough even as Montclair took a 13-8 lead late into the game when Rodriguez hit Tavarez to provide a perfect sendoff for the beloved head coach.

"It was a season where the kids believed in themselves," Ascolese said, "and to realize that they listended, focused and accomplished it is a great feeling for a coach. They did everything to win that football game.

"It has been so exciting. I haven't heard from some people in ages, and they called or emailed or got in touch with me to reach out and offer congratulations and support. You don't realize that that many people are interested until it happens."